The UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) has welcomed the UK Office of Life Sciences’ (OLS) planned package of funding measures announced in its ‘Life Sciences Blueprint.’ The package points to £18 million funding from the Technology Strategy Board that will help the UK to maintain its position as a global leader in regenerative medicine by supporting key areas of commercial R&D and the development of R&D partnerships. The OLS package also promises an additional funding of £3.5 million from the Medical Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The Blueprint also promises to improve patient access to innovative new drugs via an ‘Innovation Pass,’ which would allow the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to select treatments eligible for fast-track access. Andrew Dillon, CEO of the Institute, which has been involved in discussions concerning the Pass, said: “We believe that this will give companies more confidence in the way NICE handles the evaluation of their products.”

The Life Sciences Blueprint is available here: http://www.dius.gov.uk/innovation/business_support/~/media/publications/O/ols-blueprint